Grotto impact mask

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a highly adaptable impact absorptive mask. The present invention uses a unique padding configuration around the perimeter and any appropriate cross bars of the mask preferably positioned at contact points. The padding configuration of the present invention includes a plurality of springs that allow for the padding to adapt to any user&#39;s facial features. The use the inner springs along with the over lying padding provides superior impact resistance and adaptability as opposed to the prior art.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/592,278 filed Jul. 29, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a protective face mask design.

2. Description of Related Art

The prior art related to face mask protective includes a variety of cage designs and configurations. Such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,770 to Chen which relates to a face mask for face protection. The Chen design includes a one piece framework that attempts to provide maximum protection and sun shading. The Chen framework uses molded pads that contact the user face and provides some comfort during use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,556 to Chen (Chen II) discusses a face mask with sun shade to shield a catcher's eyes from the sun. The Chen II mask also includes upper and lower padding surrounding the inner portions of the face mask. U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,353 to Milligan shows another protective face guard design for baseball or other sports. Milligan also includes impact cushioning for the forehead, mouth and chin areas. The prior art includes mask configurations that are attached to or include a helmet, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,649 to Hefling et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,849 to Hicks. The face mask configurations of Hefling and Hicks include some facial padding but rely on the helmet used to provide further padding in the forehead area.

The prior art lacks any protective mask that includes padding that molds and adjusts for each user's face and head structure. The facial padding used on the prior art masks must mold to a particular user's face over time. The prior art padding lacks any contemporaneous adjustability in regard to the facial padding itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides highly adaptable impact absorptive mask. The present invention uses a unique padding configuration around the perimeter and any appropriate cross bars of the mask. The padding configuration of the present invention includes a plurality of inner springs that allow for the padding to adapt to any user's facial features. The use the inner springs along with the over lying padding provides superior impact resistance and adaptability as opposed to the prior art. The inner spring/padding assembly includes two overall designs one to be used in conjunction a metal or hardened plastic frame specifically designed to be used with the inner spring/padding assembly; another where the inner spring/padding assembly replaces an existing padding assembly. The inner spring/padding assembly may be placed at key contact points at the perimeter and inner cross bars of the mask.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an impact absorption padding assembly that includes: a plurality of inner springs along the perimeter and/or cross bars of a protective mask; a plurality of shields supported by said plurality of inner springs; and interchangeable padding surrounding the shields.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cut away view of a spring action padding assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of spring supported shields according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a cut away view of the present invention where spring supported shields 10 a, 10 b, 10 c are placed at anticipated contact points of a protective mask 100. The protective mask 100 as shown includes two cross bars along with an outer perimeter 40. The shield 10 a provides padding for a user's forehead, shield 10 b provides padding for the user's lower forehead at or just above the eyebrow and shield 10 c pads the user's lower jaw/chin area. A limited number of springs 20 a, 20 b and 20 c are shown, it is contemplated that a plurality of springs of various sizes and buoyancy may be use to support the shields. Additional shields may also be used for this mask 100 or other shield configurations may also be used. The springs 20 a, 20 b and 20 c provide support for the shields 10 a, 10 b and 10 c. The shields are advantageously placed at the contact points along the outer perimeter and cross bars. The other shields may be positioned at other anticipated contact points. The present invention is not limited the present mask configuration, it may also be used in other configurations and appropriately sized to fit the mask and targeted contact points. As shown padding 30 a, 30 b, 30 c surrounds each shield and spring configuration and therefore completes the protective padding assembly according to the present invention. Furthermore, padding may surround the shields exclusively and the springs may either remain exposed or covered in another conventional manner.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the shields 10 a, 10 b and 10 c on a protective mask 100 a. The protective mask 100 a has a different configuration as opposed to mask 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the shields 10 a, 10 b and 10 c are readily configured to accommodate the mask 100 a. Appropriate padding may inserted over the shields of FIG. 2 in order to provide the user with adequate comfort during use. It further contemplated that the spring/shield assembly be removable for attachment onto other existing face masks or insertion into padding provided on other existing protective masks.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

1. A protective mask configuration comprising: a. An outer perimeter, where the outer perimeter surrounds a clear opening; b. At least one cross bar extending across the opening; c. A plurality of springs disposed across at least one of said cross bar and outer perimeter; and d. A shield suspended across each plurality of springs disposed on the mask.
 2. The protective mask according to claim 1 further comprising: a. padding surrounding each shield and plurality of springs configuration disposed over the mask.
 3. The protective mask according claims 1 further comprising a. padding surrounding each shield disposed over the mask.
 4. The protective mask according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of springs are disposed across each contact point of each said cross bar and outer perimeter.
 5. A protective mask configuration comprising: a. An outer perimeter, where the outer perimeter surrounds a clear opening; b. At least one cross bar extending across the opening; c. a plurality of springs disposed across at least one of said cross bar and outer perimeter; and d. a shield suspended across each plurality of springs disposed on the mask, wherein each said shield is disposed at a contact point.
 6. The protective mask according to claim 5 further comprising: a. padding surrounding each shield and plurality of springs configuration disposed over the mask.
 7. The protective mask according claims 5 further comprising a. padding surrounding each shield disposed over the mask.
 8. A method of configuring a protective mask comprising the steps of: a. disposing a plurality of springs across a portion of an outer perimeter of a mask; b. suspending a shield across each plurality of springs; and c. covering each shield and plurality of springs configuration with padding.
 9. The method according to claim 8 further comprising the further steps of: a. disposing the plurality of springs across a portion of each cross bar.
 10. The method according to claim 9 further comprising the step of: a. disposing the plurality of springs and shield at contact points 